Biomechanics of Kicking a Soccer Ball Brendan Buchanan, Chris DeFeyeter, Jerad Leifeld

Introduction Many different types of kicks in soccer Depends on the situation you are in Two types we are focusing on is the goal kick and a laces shot Require slight variations in the technique for each type

Objectives Goal Kick: to clear the ball with maximal height and distance away from your own defensive side Laces shot: maximum power while keeping the shot low and on target

Flight Path Laces Shot Goal Kick High velocity Follows a straight line flight path Keep ball under 8 feet ideally Medium velocity Follows a parabolic flight path As high as you can without taking away from distance

Phases Phase 1: Deciding contact point on the ball and approaching the ball Phase 2: Cocking of the of kicking leg Phase 3: Acceleration of kicking leg Phase 4: Follow through

Approach Laces Shot Goal kick Sagital plane Uses quadriceps, hamstrings and calf Focus on contact point (near middle of ball) Approach angle straight on (most common error) Usually 1 or 2 step approach Sagital plan Uses quadriceps, hamstrings and calf Focus on contact point (near bottom of ball) Approach angle towards 45 degrees of ball Usually 5 or 6 yard approach

Cocking of leg Laces Shot Goal Kick Try to create longest moment arm as possible Extension of hip, flexion of knee, plantar flexion of ankle all in sagital plane Plant foot even with ball, knee and chest over the ball Horizontal adduction of opposite shoulder Try to create longest moment arm as possible Extension of hip, flexion of knee, plantar flexion of ankle all in sagital plane Plant foot even with ball, knee slightly behind the ball, upper body leaning back Both shoulders hyperextended

Leg Acceleration Laces shot Goal Kick Flexion of hip, extension of knee, plantar flexion of ankle in sagital plane Extend knee as fast as possible to create greater velocity Upper body leaned forward Contact ball with laces Flexion of hip, extension of knee, eversion of ankle in sagital plane Extend knee as fast as possible to create greater velocity Upper body leaned back Contact ball with instep

Follow Through Laces Shot Goal Kick Extension of knee, hip flexed, plantar flexion in ankle Upper body leaned further forward Jump off plant foot, land on kicking foot Kicking foot follows through in a straight line Extension of knee, hip flexed, dorsiflexion of ankle Upper body leaned further back Plant foot stays on the ground, land on kicking foot Kicking foot follows through in a curved path

Laces Shot

Goal Kick

Leg Velocities Laces Shot Angular velocity: 12.2 Rad/s Tangential velocity: 20.62 m/s Goal Kick Angular Velocity 10.2 Rad/s Tangential velocity 17.2 m/s

Ball Velocities and Forces Laces Shot 53 mph Goal Kick 47 mph

Velocities of Laces Shot The average professional shot is 30 meters per second (67 MPH) Average youth shot (12-17 years old) is around 15 meters per second (32 MPH), Average college and high level amateur adults shot around 25 meters per second (55 MPH)

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